Elevate Business
The Elevate program is designed to create a practical experience with on-the-job training in KAUST business areas in one of our targeted streams. Join the Elevate training program to accelerate your career!
All you need to know about the Elevate Business Training Program is outlined below. Please take the time to read through the page and program streams to assess which stream is best for you.
Application is closed.
GENERAL QUALIFICATION
What you need to qualify for the first stage of the recruitment process:
- Recent Saudi graduates with a max of three years’ work experience
- Master's or Bachelor's degree
- Graduated with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4/4 - 4.25/5
- Age: between 22 –28
- Fluent in English
- Candidates must submit a professional English resume
- Other qualifications might be required depending on the stream you apply for (please check each stream special qualifications)
Please make sure to fulfill the above requirements in order to be qualified to the second stage of the recruitment process.
Recruitment Stages
Application opens
May 1, 2023
The form includes the general information required and submission of relevant documents.
Qualified applicants will be required to submit a video to introduce themselves and answer some questions to move to the next stage. To view a sample of the video submission, please click here
Recruiters will assess video submission and will invite you to conduct an online zoom interview.
A full day at KAUST to conduct a presentation in front of the panel and tour of the campus (Week of July 16)
Accepted applicants will receive directions on the relocation and onboarding process (Week of August 20).
Program will starts on Sunday September 3rd, 2023
Training Journey
Acclimate
to a new job and environment
- Settling into your new environment
- Receive personal and professional support
- Understand diverse cultures
- Develop your soft skills
- Learn about available resources
Cultivate
your skills and purpose
- Identify your strengths
- Identify your purpose
- Sharpen your technical skills
- Hone your presentation skills
- Build a wider network
Elevate
personally and professionally
- Develop a perspective on career goals
- Polish your resume
- Strengthen your interview skills
- Make the most out of your LinkedIn Profile
- Get exposed to external organizations
Training Streams
Finance and Internal Audit
This stream is designed for those who have a passion for pursuing a career in finance.
Degree: BA or MA degree in Finance or Accounting
GPA: 3.4/4 or 4.25/5
If you are a competent user of Microsoft Excel, Data Analytics and Data Visualization, this stream is for you.
Hosting Departments:
The finance department at KAUST provides an effective management accounting service to the University including the preparation of budgets, management reports, short form initiatives, forward estimates, submissions, financial position reporting/evaluation, and cash flow data.
Trainees will work on the Annual Budget Cycle, Quarterly Forecast and Year-End process, analyze Budget vs. Actual vs. Forecast for different KAUST departments, contribute towards maintaining SAP Data business warehouse queries, support the building and creating of reports, analytics and dashboards, and ensure that all types of account payable reports are available upon request.
Degree Required: Finance
Training Program Duration: 9 months
The Internal Audit team is responsible for evaluating the University’s risks and eliminating its threats by improving its efficiency of operations, protecting its assets and ensuring that it is legally compliant.
Trainees will execute audit procedures using appropriate audit techniques and software, perform audit testing, and conduct research and preliminary discussions with relevant process owners to understand and document existing governance arrangements, business processes and procedures.
Degree Required: Accounting
Training Program Duration: 9 months
Tech
This stream is designed for those with digital minds who want to put their creativity into practice.
Degree: BA or MA in Computer Science | Information Science | Information Technology | Cybersecurity | Computer Systems Networking
GPA: 3.4/4 or 4.25/5
If you have experience in product prototyping, coding, system design, web and mobile app design, creating dashboards in power BI, system configurations, and verifying secure coding practices, this stream is for you.
Hosting Departments:
KAUST Smart is the innovation engine that allows KAUST to create and provide a unique digital experience for visitors, employees, residents, and community members. KAUST Smart pushes the boundaries of innovation across the entire spectrum of “smart city” solutions to establish KAUST as a living laboratory for digital transformation, research, and testing.
Trainees will participate in evaluating new and emerging technologies and assessing their potential for inclusion in smart city proof of concepts, pilots, and experiences. In addition to designing and developing solutions, prototypes, proofs-of-concept, and pilots in areas such as: Wayfinding, maps, augmented reality, virtual reality, AI, and autonomous mobility.
Degree Required: Computer Science, Information Science, Information Technology
Training Program Duration: 9 months
The cybersecurity architecture and engineering team is responsible for designing and implementing the technical systems and controls that protect KAUST’s information assets.
Trainees will be responsible for researching and evaluating new technologies and techniques that could be used to improve KAUST’s cybersecurity posture. They will also work on designing and validating KAUST’s cybersecurity controls which include firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, network monitoring tools, email security, and threat detection.
Degree Required: Cybersecurity, Computer Systems Networking
Training Program Duration: 9 months
Engineering
This stream is designed for engineers or architects interested in working on major development projects.
Degree: BA or MA in Architecture | Engineering (Mechanical / Electromechanical )
GPA: 3.4/4 or 4.25/5
If you are good at multitasking and have good communication skills, this stream is for you.
Hosting Departments:
Facilities Management is responsible for planning, developing and project managing all facilities at KAUST.
Trainees will supervise projects under design and/or construction, oversee/engage with external design firms and contractors, and learn all about construction safety, quality assurance, and quality control.
Degree Required: Architecture
Training Program Duration: 9 months
Facilities Management is responsible for building and maintaining all KAUST facilities, as well as providing innovative and modern solutions that improve productivity and quality of life.
Trainees will rotate between 3 units: Community Maintenance, Academic and Admin Facilities Maintenance, and the Operations Department. Trainees will be introduced to various department functions, gain knowledge of the different mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems under each department, and learn about the different types of maintenance regimes.
Degree Required: Engineering (Mechanical/Electromechanical )
Training Program Duration: 9 months
Environmental Management
This stream is for those who have a genuine love of nature and are passionate about creating a more sustainable, healthier environment for future generations.
Degree: BA or MA degree in Environmental Studies | Environmental Science |Chemistry | Biochemistry |Biology |Geology | Physics | Biodiversity
GPA: 3.4/4 or 4.25/5
If you have an Environmental background, are able to interact with different stakeholders, and can deliver work on time, this stream is for you.
Hosting Departments:
The Office of Sustainability at KAUST provides leadership and technical expertise on sustainable development, aligns projects and programs to integrate and promote sustainability efforts, communicates actions and initiatives to the public, and engages with the community on sustainability literacy and awareness.
Trainees will be responsible for designing, implementing and monitoring sustainability projects and initiatives at KAUST. They will also support the development of sustainability guiding documents for the University, maintain a database of knowledge on the sustainability efforts of international higher education institutions, and support the design of communications and outreach materials that promote the University’s vision.
Degree Required: Environmental Science, geology, biology, chemistry, physics, biodiversity, biochemistry
Training Program Duration: 9 months
Beacon Development provides environmental consultancy advice, strategic advice, and environmental monitoring, as well as research and assessment to the Red Sea region. It is a leader in environmental consulting services in Saudi Arabia, providing support and services to a wide range of giga-projects, government and corporate entities, and non-profit and local initiatives.
Trainees in this department will rotate between 3 units where they will perform laboratory tests, prepare samples/specimens, perform daily quality control checks, prepare reliable reports, and interpret results based on findings.
Degree Required: Biology
Training Program Duration: 9 months
Health, Safety & Development is responsible for the environmental management of KAUST, which includes the operation and maintenance of KAUST facilities.
Trainees will produce guidelines for marine/nature protected areas, develop environmental friendly policies and practices for recreational events, and translate environmental regulatory requirements into operational key performance indicators.
Degree Required: Environmental Studies | Environmental Science
Training Program Duration: 9 months
Legal
This stream is designed for those who are interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession.
Degree: BA or MA degree in Law
GPA: 3.4/4 or 4.25/5
If you have the ability to anticipate and resolve issues, have exceptional interpersonal skills, and are interested in being part of the legal team that is responsible for safeguarding KAUST, this stream is for you.
Hosting Departments:
The Office of the General Counsel at KAUST is responsible for monitoring Saudi and international laws and regulations, reviewing and responding to legal claims, drafting contracts, and maintaining legal archives.
Trainees in this department will support other attorneys and interact with external clients, draft legal documents, and research and summarize new developments in laws and regulations.
Training Program Duration: 9 months
Research Compliance
This stream is designed for those who are interested in promoting polices and activities pertaining to responsible conduct of research.
Degree: MA degree in Biological and Biomedical Sciences | Biological and Physical Sciences
GPA: 3.4/4 or 4.25/5
If you have a highly developed sense of ethics, are customer-focused and have knowledge of research/scientific terminology, this stream is for you.
Hosting Departments:
Research Compliance exists to protect the people involved in research at KAUST and to ensure that research is done in a safe and ethical manner.
Trainees will serve as a policy/regulation resource to faculty, assist with research integrity training, and assist in the development, testing and migration of data management systems.
Training Program Duration: 9 months
Reefscape Restoration Stream
This stream is designed for those interested in coral reef conservation. The training will take place in NEOM and KAUST.
Degree: BA or MA in Ecology | Biodiversity | Biology | Marine Biology | Maritime Studies | Microbiology | Zoology | Marine Science | Bioscience
GPA: 3.4/4 – 4.25/5
If you are interested in supporting both the Kingdom and NEOM in protecting the Red Sea Marine environments, and playing a meaningful and impactful role in achieving sustainability goals of vision 2030, this stream is for you.
The Reefscape Restoration Elevate Trainee will work in multiple rotations under the supervision of the KRRI team, with the responsibility of achieving specific tasks in each rotation. Throughout their journey, trainees will participate in a variety of tasks including, but not limited to:
- 20% Theoretical training online or in-person.
- Obtaining an advanced diving license to conduct the fieldwork.
- Hands-on training on the coral nursery (ex-situ land-based/in-situ structures) setup, management, monitoring & maintenance, coral pruning, coral propagation, and reporting.
- Collecting and analyzing of data/imagery to feed the marine digital twin.
Program Duration: 12 Months
The program Qualifications:
- Saudi who graduated, between 2020 and 2023
- At least two years of recent diving and snorkeling experience (preferable)